London Eye

A 30-minute ride in one of the 32 glass capsules offers 360-degree views over London highlights such as St Paul's Cathedral and Buckingham Palace. One rotation takes 30 minutes, with the structure rotating at a fairly slow speed, meaning visitors are free to walk about their capsule and take photos from all sides.

The Eye’s more than 3.5 million annual visitors make the lines often quite long. Pre-book a fast-track London Eye ticket to maximize your time. Travelers with a penchant for luxury can opt to sip champagne while they ride. Many London Eye tours combine wheel rides with afternoon tea, a Thames River cruise, or bus tours. City tours cover the Eye and top sites, including the Tower of London and London Dungeon.

• Take a spin on the London Eye at the start of your vacation to orient yourself and grasp the layout of the city.

• On a clear day, it may be possible to spy Windsor Castle on the horizon from one of the capsules.

• If gray skies threaten rain, nearby indoor activities abound. Visit the SEA LIFE® London Aquarium, the BFI IMAX cinema, or Shrek's Adventure to stay entertained during a storm.

• The London Eye is the world's tallest cantilevered observation wheel.

The wheel rises up over the water on the south bank of the River Thames. Waterloo is the nearest tube station, serviced by the Jubilee, Northern, Bakerloo, and Waterloo and City lines. Visitors traveling on the District or Circle lines can disembark at Westminster, check out Westminster Abbey, and walk across Westminster Bridge. Surrounding the Eye are street performers, food stalls, and fairground attractions in Jubilee Gardens.

Look out for special themed events. The London Eye has hosted flash mobs, pop-up dining events, romantic Valentine's Day dinners, and even weddings. Plus, the Eye is a main feature in London's famous New Year's Eve fireworks display.

It's no accident that the London Eye has 32 capsules—each one represents one of the city's 32 boroughs. However, observant visitors will notice that the last capsule is actually No. 33. The creators skipped pod No. 13, deeming it unlucky.

While you can buy same-day tickets for the London Eye, popular time slots often sell out. Book in advance to avoid long wait times and secure entry. Book more than 24 hours in advance for a minimum 10 percent discount.

For the best views from the London Eye, ride the wheel at sunset or after dark—note you can only do this from June through August. Visit early or late on weekdays to avoid crowds and get the lowest rates.

A ride on the London Eye lasts 30 minutes, which is how long it takes to complete one full rotation. Note that the time on your ticket is the time that you’ll enter the queue for your ride, so you’ll likely be at the wheel for up to 75 minutes.

Yes, as one of London’s most iconic attractions, the London Eye is worth it. The wheel offers unrivaled views over the city and top landmarks such as Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament. On a clear day you can see as far as Windsor Castle.

London Eye admission tickets are for specific time slots indicating when to enter the queue rather than start your ride on the wheel. Expect lines to take about 45 minutes with a standard admission ticket or about 20 minutes with a fast-track pass.

No, you can’t take your own food and drink on the London Eye. However, you can take in bottled water. Staff can also make exceptions for food or drink needed for medical conditions or infants. Just be sure to inform the security team in advance. Hot food and alcohol are never exceptions.